Fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare), With its individual licorice -like aroma and taste, a popular herb has been found in kitchens and pharmacists worldwide. For centuries appreciated for its culinary versatility and medicinal properties, fennel is often praised because of the digestive benefits and traditional use in women’s health. As with every powerful herb, understanding the possible side effects, especially for women, is crucial for safe and effective use.
Today we take a fast dip in the side effects of fennel, in particular side effects of fennel seeds for women.
The benefits of fennel (a fast look)
Before you go into the details, it is worth mentioning why fennel is so popular. Fennel is a fantastic ally for digestive problems, known to calm stomach complaints, lower cramps, reduce gas and illuminate flatulence. It can even freshen up your breath after the meal. For new mothers, fennel acts as a galactagoguehelp in stimulating and increasing the production of breast milk (you can get fennel tea HERE). Fennel also reduces menstrual cramps and associated fatigue.
However, as with everything, there are side effects of eating too many fennel seeds, drinking too much fennel tea and even the use of fennel essential oil for certain individuals.
Potential side effects of fennel for women
Although Fenkel offers countless benefits, certain precautions and side effects justify attention, especially with regard to women’s health:
- Pregnancy: Fenkel’s effect on the womb is an important state of caution during pregnancy. Medicinal doses of fennel are generally not recommended during pregnancy, because they can stimulate or relax the uterus. The essential fennel oil is toxic if it is taken internally during pregnancy and can even lead to a miscarriage. Fennel was also used as a traditional abortic chocolate in medicinal doses.
- Hormonal activity: Fennel is recognized for being estrogenic features And the ability to modulate estrogen levels. Experimental models have shown that acetone extracts of fennel can induce Estrus and cause the growth of mammary glands, fallopian tubes, the cervix and the vagina, in addition to an observed antiandrogenic effect. This hormonal influence is the reason why it is considered useful to relieve the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and balancing the female reproductive system.
- Lactation (clarification): Fennel is widely used and considered safe to promote lactation. However, it is specifically recommended Avoid fennel essential oil if you are breastfeeding. The distinction between the entire herb and the concentrated essential oil is important.
- Allergic reactions: Although rare, allergic reactions to fennel have been reported, which sometimes manifest themselves as problems with skin or airways. Persons with “celery-Drink-Mugwort-Spice” syndrome or those sensitized for celery or root can show allergic reactions to fennel as a result of cross reactivity within the Umbelliferae family.
- Gastro -sophageal Reflux (GER): While fennel is a chance that it is often used for dyspepsia, high doses can aggravate karminatives, including fennel, ger.
- Photo Dermatitis: In rare cases, people have reported photo dermatitis (a skin rash caused by exposure to sunlight) while taking fennel seeds.
- Potential carcinogenic effect (Estragole): There is an external possibility of a carcinogenic effect as a result of estragole, a connection present in sweet fennel, as well as anis vert and anis star.
- Excessive doses: Although generally safe in normal doses, Excessive consumption of fennel seeds can be toxic. The essential oil in particular should not be taken internally because of potential toxicity for the stomach, kidneys and nervous system, which could lead to bewilderment, tremors or attacks.
- Drug interactions: Fennel seed tea side effects include reduced absorption of ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic. It is thought that this interaction is due to the rich mineral content of the herb. People who take ciprofloxacin are advised to avoid or consider fennel -containing products to falter the administration times of fennel and ciprofloxacin.
Despite the potential side effects, fennel is a safe, versatile and useful herb, especially for digestive comfort and supporting lactation.
Women, in particular those who are pregnant or pregnancy, must, however, be aware of the potential of the womb and its estrogen activity.
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